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[Lights Out]

I-O now offers a circuit board upgrade service for the both vision and non-vision Cricket boards! The boards will be updated with Enhanced Cricket Software (ECS) v2.0.

I setup this post like a FAQ to help answer some questions.

What features does ECS offer?

- semi-automatic
- 3 round burst
- 6 round burst
- full auto
- adjustable ROF
- expanded dwell range
- adjustable trigger bounce
- fast vision eye logic

Can ECS be programmed on any cricket board?

No. ECS can only be programmed on your cricket board if your board is unlocked! About 15,000-20,000 boards were sold before Smart Parts locked the boards...so unlocked boards are floating around out there!
 
How do I know wether my board is locked or unlocked?

- a white sticker on the microchip means the board is LOCKED and cannot be programmed
- all boards with chips ending in 4433 are UNLOCKED
- each board that is locked IS a ATMEGA8L chip. BUT not ALL ATMEGA8L's are locked.

*NOTE* Some boards, even unlocked ones, simply cannot be programmed for some reason. In this event a refund (minus shipping costs) will be returned to the customer.

Damn! My cricket board is LOCKED. Can you unlock it?

No. The only way to unlock a board is to replace the locked chip with a new unlocked chip...and we do not offer this service.

Great! My cricket board is UNLOCKED. How do I get my board programmed with ECS?

Send your board in a safe/sturdy box to us. PM me for shipping address!

How much does it cost?

$15, which includes return shipping!

PayPal: sales@impulse-owners.com

When will I get my board back?

All boards will be shipped back out to the customer roughly 3 days after the board is received.

[batfly]

from what i've read ecs 2.0 was never the most reliable.  everyone always recommended 1.13, especially with vision boards. 

it would also be really cool to get in contact with that guy from 'nation that used to replace the chips (datrupimpwitdaimp i think).  i pm'd him over there a few weeks back but he hasn't been active since 09 it seems.

cool to see this service/programing kept alive!

[Lights Out]

I agree...v2.0 is one of the reasons this service is being held up. Might have to use v1.13 afterall. Stay tuned!

[batfly]

1.13 was still/is still pretty bada**! 

[BlacknRed]

Gonna make me go home and rip apart all my markers now huh?  Nice.

[BlacknRed]

Alright.  I got a hit.  My oldest marker has a 4433 chip.  Unfortunately, it is a non-vision.  Could that be a recipe for puree with the higher ROF?  A mess for you non-French speakers.  If you soldered on the connector for the daughter board - the points are there - could it convert, or is there a different chip set on the main board?

[BlacknRed]

Got another hit.  The AVI has eyes and a 4433 chip!  What is the difference between and ECS upgraded Cricket and Blackheart; don't say board color!!

[RAT0586]

The chip on my board is covered with black epoxy. Im guessing that means no ECS for me?

[Lights Out]

Black epoxy means the same as a sticker...sorry!

BlacknRed....check out the ECS manuals for more info. And to be honest I'm not sure if ECS is a recipe for disaster on a blind board. I don't think it would be. Only one way to find out!

[BlacknRed]

I have a couple more 4433's.  When are you going to be ready?  If the upgrade doesn't work, is the board toast or just as it was?

[Lights Out]

if the upgrade doesn't work, the board will just remain as is. Been busy the last few weeks. Hoping to have time to play around with these shortly. Stay tuned.

[mynumber1haters]

Is this service ready, for customers?

[Lights Out]

I believe so, I actually handed the project off to BlacknRed, but I think it is live. Shoot him a PM.

[mynumber1haters]

pm sent.

[BlacknRed]

I successfully pushed 1.13 to one of my boards, but have not gotten out to test it yet.  Need to get to the field and air up.  Planning on doing that 4/2.
If you know you want 1.13 anyway, let me know and I'll drop you my address to ship to.  Lights and I are working together on this at this point so I am doing the flashing.  The process also allows for reverting to the old system again if you want to.  I'll maintain the original configuration for you, but you'll have to send it back and forth at your expense.  If you live in the Boston area, perhaps we can just meet up.  Another option.